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Health & Fitness

Nature's Fury Unleased...

Tsunamis, earthquakes, storms, tornadoes: In the 2013 FIRST LEGO League Robotics Competition... Teams of kids work to solve the problems created by Mother Nature's Fury.

Squigglemom, Trish Tsoi-A-Sue's profile picture
Squigglemom, Trish Tsoi-A-Sue, Community Contributor
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Video clips of the teams, test and refereed runs on Saturday here.

It feels so counter-culture... Attending a robotics competition when everyone outside is in Halloween mode...  BUT... Halloween was put on hold for the seven teams that attended the 3rd ever Shared Science FIRST LEGO League (FLL) local tournament in Long Beach this weekend.

FLL Teams around the world are busy preparing to compete in various FIRST LEGO League tournaments.  The hectic competition spans holiday periods like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The goal is not necessarily to win, but to learn how to work as a team;  to learn how to help others, how to have fun.  Terms such as "Gracious Professionalism" and "Coopertition" are core to the game.  The teams think about the problems around a topic and to try to invent solutions to those problems.  They design robots to solve the game missions designed for this year's challenge theme, Nature's Fury.

Competitions this year are bursting at the seams.  It's LEGO.  It's Robotics. It's play in the guise of learning.  It's learning in the guise of play.  Who wouldn't want to play this game?

The seven teams competing at St. Bartholomew's Youth Center this last Saturday were from Redondo Beach, Whittier, Culver City, Westwood and Long Beach!  They represented schools, after-school and other community groups.

Some may end their competition bid here.  Others will attend qualifying tournaments and regional championships.  Perhaps one will end up at the World Festival.

The local competition was organized by Coach Terry Wells, supported by non-profit group Shared Science.  I've put together a few photos and videos of the events from last Saturday.  If you're from the Southern California area, you may recognize your friends and children of your friends.  The photos on this site present to you the competing teams.

  • Dolphinators 1 - Jefferson Elementary School, Redondo Beach. Coach Melanie Sullivan
  • Dolphinators 2 - Jefferson Elementary School, Redondo Beach.  Coach Melanie Sullivan
  • Lowell Elementary School - Sea Stars Robotics Club, Coach Ms. Nancy Schmitt.
  • Shared Science Community Team, LEGO Lords.  Coach Jacqui Viale
  • Shared Science Team Robo Rally Coaches Terry Wells and Jackie Taylor.
  • Starbots (STAR education after school program at La Ballona and Westwood Elementary Schools) Coach Raymond Lo
  • Whittier Christian School Robotics, coach Ms. Shelley Andros
If you'd like to learn more about the FLL 2013 game, check here.  If you're interested in attending a competition, you should contact your FLL regional partner.  For the Southern California region, the events are posted here.  Entry is always free.  A competition is a great place to be inspired to create your own team.  If you're signed up for an event but don't think you're really ready, please still come.  Don't be afraid... Everyone's your friend here...

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